Mechanism for preparing postal matter



s. c. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER May 4, 1943.

13 Smets-sheet 1 Flled April 25, 1939 nvenor .dalt

May 4, 1943.

S. C. HERBERT MEGHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER l Flled April 25, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. W1 Atto; ney

May 4, 1943.

S. C. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER Flled April 25, 1939 l5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 4?, 1943" s. c. HERBERT 2,318,073

MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER F'lled April 25, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ingen/tor Ivy au. a @wiwi I Harney.

s. c. HERBERT 2,318,073 MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER May 4, 1943.

Flled April 25, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 4, 1943. s, c. HERBERT 2,318,073

MECHANISM FOR PARE-PARING POSTAL MATTER Flled April 25, 1939 l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 .Inventor .ttorney May 4, 1943.

s. c. HERBERT 2,318,073 MECHANIVSM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER Flled April 25, 195s 1s sheets-sheet v Inventor fifm@ by Zd. E. im,... Attorney,

May 4, 1943. 5. c. HERBERT 2,318,073

MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER Flled April 25, 1939 1s sheets-sheet s .d Homey May 4 l943 s. c. HERBERT 2,318,073

MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER l Filed April 25, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 inventar MM.;

.Attorney May 4, 1943- s. c. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARI'NG POSTAL MATTER A1:5 sheets-sheet 1o F'lled April 25, 1939 Tbl/8114007' Mai.

May 4, 1943.

S. C. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER Filed April 25, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 11y .d ttorney.

May 4, 1943.

s. c. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTALMATTER med April' 25, 1959 1s sheets-sheet 12 I nventor .dttorney May 4, i943 s. c. HERBERT MECHANISM FOR PREPARING POSTAL MATTER Flled April 25,( 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 .Httrney l Patented May 4, 1943 UNITED STATES OFFICE MATTE Stanley Charles Herbert, Nunhead, London, England Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,923 In Great Britain April 25, 1938 16 Claims.

his invention relates to mechanisms for preparing postal matter and more especially to mechanism that is adapted to insert circulars and like matter into the enclosing envelopes and to fold inwards the aps of the envelopes.

The invention has for its main object to provide mechanism that will draw from a pile the required envelopes in succession, feed them to a position at which the corresponding circular or other matter is presented, insert the said circular or other matter into the envelope and turn the nap of the envelope into the envelope ready for despatch, the series of operations being carried out automatically.

According to the invention there is provided a magazine for the envelopes and a feed table for the circulars or other postal matter and mechanism whereby the envelopes are removed singly from the magazine by the flaps, and fed forward to a position in which the opening of the envelope is presented to the corresponding circular or other postal matter which in the meantime has been fed forward, the envelope being v the ilap and thence to the i'lnal delivery position.

According to the invention, moreover, the mechanism may be provided to straighten out the flap into alignment with the envelope, in the removal of the envelope from the magazine. It may further be provided to reverse the flap to the iront of the envelope before the latter is passed to the position at which it receives the circular or other postal matter, whereupon the nap is rotated for insertion into the envelope.

The mechanism by which the sequence o-f movements of the envelopes and the circulars is effected may be varied in accordance with the requirements of dilerent applications and Where necessary the mechanism may be provided to be adjustable for the purpose of operatng upon envelopes of differing sizes and Ycircuiars` or other postal matter of diering the magazine. The table or the like is preferably constructed to permit the ap of the lowermost envelope to extend downwardly below it.

The magazine may be adjustable for differing justable of position. Such adjustment may be eiected, for example, bythe mounting of the wall so that it is capable of a pivotal movement or of movement parallel to itself under the action of an adjusting mechanism suchas alink and an eccentric or crank 'that is adjustable.

Similarly, the spring finger or fingers or the weight serving to feed the pile or pack of envelopes downwardly, where present, may be provided to be adjustable in elevation in accordance with the number of envelopes included in the pile.

The envelopes are withdrawn individually from the magazine by rotating or oscillating feed members having a path of movement such that the downwardly extending flap of the lowermost envelope in the pile or pack is engaged and the envelope thereby drawn from the magazine and fed to the first of a number of pairs or series of pairs of'guide rollers distributed along the path which the envelope is required to follow to the lling position. At or adjacent the lling position the envelope is engaged by mechanism, such as grippers, by which, if necessary, it may be carried into the filling position and by which it is detained during the insertion of the circular or other postal matter and while so detained it is distended by one or more distending elements having an oscillatory or other suitable movement and thatarepositioned or are so mov-ed that they enter the envelope as it arrives at the filling -position,the envelope-being maintained distended for a period suicient to `enable the circular or 'other` postal matter to be engaged -by Apositively actuated inserting elements and carried thereby into the envelope. After the envelope has been filled the operation of inserting the flap follows. The mechanism may be such' that the flap may be turned rllled envelope to continue its progress along' its path of travel to a nal position orest 'at which the ap is inserted into the envelope. For this purpose the gripper cr like mechanism or other suitable mechanism may return the envelope along the path by which it arrived at the lling position to a position at which it is diverted by suitable means to a path leading to the said final position. Alternatively, the envelope on leaving the iling position may be caused to progress forwards in continuation of the path by which it arrived at the lling position and to be thus led to the final position for the insertion of the flap.

At the final position the envelope is receive into a cradle in which it is held during the time that mechanism provided for the purpose is caused to rotate the flap about the upper edge of the envelope for insertion. Such mechanism is advantageously of a form which in turning the flap exerts pressure also towards the inner surface of the front of the envelope, while at the same time distending elements or catches that may form part of the cradle are caused to engage the rear portion of the envelope and to distend it while the flap is pressed home within the envelope.

The cradle in which the envelope is positioned as hereinbefore described is advantageously formed with means whereby the surface upon which the envelope rests may be withdrawn for the iinal delivery of the filled envelope. Thus, the cradle may be provided with bottom elements which in synchronism with the remaining parts of the mechanism are caused at the appropriate moment to withdraw from the support of the envelope.

Where it is required to reverse the flap of the envelope withdrawn from the magazine so that it rests on the front surface of the envelope the fiap may be diverted into a pocket or a series of strip-like guides forming a pocket mounted upon a pivotal axis transverse to the path of the envelope and adapted for a rotary or oscillatory movement through a considerable angle such that in the forward travel of the envelope between the pairs of guide rollers the flap is bent rearwardly. The mechanism may be such that the said pocket or series of strip guides reaches the limit of the rotary or oscillatory movement Aat the moment when the body of the envelope l has been fed forward to a further set of feed rollers which then engage the mouth of the envelope and complete the folding back of the flap. The envelope with the flap folded rearwardly then proceeds along the path of travel tothe filling position under the action of the gripper or like mechanism which advantageously engages the forward edge of the mouth of the envelope. When the envelope leaves the filling position the ap may be again turned into alignment with the front portion of the envelope by the mechanism by which the envelope is diverted from the path of travel by which it arrived at the filling position.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Figures l and 2 together form a longitudinal sectional elevation of an apparatus comprising the several mechanisms required to carry out the operations according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 together represent a plan partly in section of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 .and 2.

Figures 5 and 6 together form a complete plan .of the apparatus.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan illustrating the envelope feed mechanism and the flap turning mechanism.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the magazine end of the apparatus.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the envelope discharge end of the apparatus.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional elevation taken on the line I-Il of Figure 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 11 is a sectional end elevation of the apparatus on a slightly enlarged scale.

Figure 12 is a perspective View of the iiap tucking mechanism.

Figures 13 and 14 are diagrammatic representations of the cam and cam lever mechanism by which the several mechanisms of the apparatus are operated from a common drive.

Figure l5 is a sectional elevation of a modied construction of the flap tucking mechanism.

Figure 16 is a sectional elevation of a modified construction of the postal matter transfer mechanism.

Figurer 17 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 16.

In carrying the invention into effect according to the particularconstruction illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings, there is provided a machine having mechanism adapted to withdraw the envelopes by the flaps from a magazine, reverse the flaps onto the fronts of the envelopes, feed the envelopes so prepared to the filling position, simultaneously to feed the postal matter previously folded to the filling position, distend the envelopes, insert the postal matter, return the flaps into alignment with the fronts vof the envelopes, and subsequently tuck them into the envelopes in front of the postal matter before ejecting the envelopes.

The several mechanisms thus required are grouped upon a main frame comprising main frame plates l and 2, of openwork formation to reduce weight and to afford accessibility to the parts of the mechanisms. 'I'he said main frame plates are spaced apart and connected together by tie-bars 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 8, 9, I0, II, I2, of square cross-section, connected Ain turn by horizontal diagonal bracing plates I3, I4, I5, and similar vertical bracing plates I6, I1. The main frame plates are supported upon transverse foot-plates I8, I9 respectively secured to the tie-bars 9 and I2 and braced by angular bracings 20 and 2I to the tie-bars I0 and II. They are further tied together by two tie-rods 22. The main frame so provided serves for the reception within it of other frames that support the various mechanisms, while the frame plate I has fitted -to it on the exterior an auxiliary frame for the support of the cam shaft and the co-operating bellcrank levers that are provided for the operation of the several mechanisms.

At the one endof the main frame there is provided the table for the postal matter, hereinafter termed letters, and below it the magazine for the envelopes. The magazine is built up upon open frame plates 23 that are supported on the inner sides of the respective main frame plates I and 2 by bolts 24 and suitable distance sleeves or members 25. The bottom of the magazine is a sheet metal plate 26 of a width considerably less than the spacing of the frame plates 23, downwardly flanged at the sides and at the rear and provided at the rear with lateral extensions 21 flanged upwardly at the ends to receive bolts by vwhich the plate may be secured to the frame plates 23. The forward edge of the plate 26 is cut to an angle approximating to that of the flap of an envelope, as the envelopes are intended to be piled upon the plate with the flaps downward- 1y so that the flap of the rst envelope is free of the plate 2B. The forward edge of the plate is formed with slots 28, two in number, while the rear edge is formed with three slots 29 on the inner side of the rear flange. The front of the magazine is formed by a plate 30 of a width the same as that of the plate 26 and supported at the required disposition by bolts 3I received into the frame plates 23. 'Ihe rear of the magazine is formed by a plate-like fitting 32 that is pivotally suspended from a bolt 33 extending between the frame plates 23. The fitting is of the same width as the bottom plate 26. It is formed with two longitudinal channels 34 of L- shaped cross-section oppositely directed, so that the middle section of the fitting overlaps the channels and is carried bya relatively narrow portion of the ntting. The purpose of the channels is to constrain the movement of a weight 35 adapted to be disposed upon the pile of en velopes 36, the weight being provided with hooks 31 of a form suitable to engage the channels. The tting is further provided with downwardly extending lugs 38 to be received into the slots 29 of the bottom plate 26, for the purpose of limiting the possible movement of the iitting about the bolt 33. The movement of the fitting is controlled by a crank handle 39 secured to a spindle 4l) having bearings in the plates 23 and extending to the outer side of the main frame plate 2, where the handle 39 engages over a dial plate 4l secured to the plate 2 and provided with a series of depressions with any one of which a spring catch in the handle will engage according to the particular position given to the handle. A plate-like crank arm 42 fixed to the spindle is connected to the fitting 32 by a plate-like link 43 in such manner that the movements of the handle 39 are transmitted to the fitting 32. In this way the back of the magazine is adjusted according to the size of the envelopes. adjustment of the width of the magazine there are provided two movable side plates 44 each of which has two bearing surfaces 45 adapted to butt against the envelopes and formed either as an addition or integrally. The said plates are supported from the frame plates 23 by two bolts d5, each plate being provided for the purpose with a tubular sleeve 41 at the one end and a collar 4B at the other end set at right angles to the plate to receive the bolts 45 as bearings, the sleeve 4'! and the collar 48 being united by a triangular plate 9. In order that the plates 44 may approach to the minimum distance. the sleeve 41, collar i8 and triangular plate of the one plate 44 are reversed in position on other plate 44 so that the collar of the one plate is on the same bolt as the sleeve of the other plate. Each triangular plate 49 carries a lug 50 which has a screw-threaded bore, the threads of the bores of the two lugs being of opposite hand and engaging respectively right and left handed screw threads formed upon an operating spindle 5I which has bearings in the frame plates 23 and extends through the main frame plate 2 to receive a xedly mounted operating handle 52. By the rotation of the said handle in one or the other direction the side plates 44 of the magazine may be caused to approach each other or to separate according to the dimensions of the envelope. l The letters to be inserted into the envelopes For the are fed onto Ya table of sheet metal comprising a narrow portion 53 and a wider portion 54 that are pivoted or hinged together upon a bolt extending between the frame plates 23. The portion 54 extends the full distance between the plates 23 and at the rear end is conveniently supported upon studs 55 mounted in the main frame plates I and 2. Thus the portion 54 may be raised, after the manner of a hinged lid, to render the magazine accessible for the insertion of a pile of envelopes. The portion 53 extends advantageously towards the main frame plate l short of the position which the adjacent side plate 44 of the magazine occupies when at the extreme limit of its inward movement of adjustment. lThis disposition permits the mounting upon the said side plate of a lateral letter register plate 5l which extends upwardly in the space adjacent the portion 53 of the letter table and which is therefore always adjusted with the said side plate 44. t may be fixedly mounted vupon the said side plate or may be adjustable thereon, as by means of a pin and slot connection. Alternatively, it may be independently mounted upon the frame plate 23 or upon the main frame plate I. In either case it may adjustable and for the purpose may be mounted, for example, to move along a guide or slide under the action oi an adjusting screw. With such a disposition of the register plate it is unnecessary for the portion 53 of the letter table to be shortened. The said portion may be bolted at its forward edge to the adjacent succeeding portion of the table, the bolts advantageously engaging slots in the forward flange of the portion 53.

For the feed of the envelopes from the magazine there is provided a spindle 58 mounted in bearings in the main frame plates l and 2 and having fixed in a middle position a plate-like iitting 59 which at the outer end is slotted at the middle and the two arms 60 so formed bent at right angles and to a circular curvature about the axis of the spindle 58, the radial position of the arms and their separation being such that, in an oscillation of the'tting 59 through an angle represented in Figure 1 by the full line and the dot and dash positions of the fitting 59, the arms 6a are caused to follow a path which carries them into the slots 28 in the bottom plate of the magazine Vand so permits them to engage land carry forward the flap of the bottom envelope into the range of a set of feed rollers. The oscillation of the fitting 59 is eiected by a cam which operates upon the fitting through a crank arm 6i secured to the spindle 58 outside the frame plate I.

The envelopes are received from the feed arms by a series of feed rollers that are carried by a second inner frame comprising the frame plates frame plates I and 2 by the bolts 53 and suitable distance members. The said inner frame carries a series ofl upper driving feed rollers 64 the spindles of which extend between the plates 62 and through that which is adjacent the main frane plate I, to receive fixedly mounted gear wheels which are geared 'as a train by idler gear wheels t5. The third in the series of rollers 64 is maintained in contact with a lower roller 66 the spindle of which forms the pivotal axis for a movable roller cradle 61 comprising two spindle bearing plates and a sheet metal bridge member E8. The said cradle carries two rollers t9, 'adapted to co-operate with the first and second rollers F54 and each of which is formed in three spaced d'3 that are spaced from and secured to the main f sections, the spacing being such that the feed arms 59. can enter freely into the spaces. 'I 'he portions of the second roller 69 are caused to protrude through corresponding slots formed in the bridge member 68. The cradle 61 is moved about its pivot to bring the rollers 99 into cooperation with the rst and second rollers 64 to take up the feed of the envelope from the feed arms S by a pair of pivoted links 19 which are connected to arms 1| fixedly mounted upon 'a spindle 12 having bearings in the main frame plates I and 2 and, on the outer side of the plate I, a xedly mounted operating arm 'I3 which receives movement from a cam in the manner hereinafter described. The cradle 01 may advantageously be balanced by a counterweight '|11 carried from the spindle 'I2 by an arm or arms 15. The inner frame plates 62 carry a slotted guide plate 'l5 through which the second and third rollers 61| protrude, which guide plate serves, in conjunction with the bridge member 68 of the cradle 61, to constrain the envelope flap to follow the determined path of travel.

For the continued feed of the envelope the frame plates 52 also serve as bearing plates for the spindles of a roller 'I1 co-operating with the last upper feed roller 94 and of a further pair of larger feed rollers 'I8 and 19. The roller 'I8 is a driving roller and is provided with a gear wheel which gears through an idle wheel 80 with the gear wheel of the last feed roller 64 and receives a drive through an idle gear wheel 8|. The frame plates 82 further carry two envelope guide plates 82, 83 which are respectively slotted for the protrusion of the rollers 'l1 and 'I9 and the roller TS.

A further pair of inner frame plates 84 lie adjacent the plates 62 and, as before, Iare supported from the main frame plates I and 2 by distance members and bolts 85. These plates serve to carry in particular the spindles of the rollers 86, 8;?, and 88, B9, forming parts of the envelope flap reversing mechanism, by which the ap is reversed onto the front of the envelope. The rollers 8S, 8l, 88, are formed in a series of sections that are spaced apart at distances approximating to their own width. Each of the four rollers is provided with a gear wheel fixed to its spindle. The gear cf the roller 8B meshes with the idle gear wheel 8| while the rollers 81 and 89 are in gear through `an idle gear wheel 90, all gear wheels being, as before, on the outer side of the frame plate 84 adjacent the main frame plate I. The flap turning element comprises a sheet metal tting 9| formed by a plate that is doubled upon itself in such manner as to leave an intervening space 92 of small thickness and the two parts of the plate are bent to a slight curvature in the same direction. The forward part of the plate from the edge adjacent the mouth of the space 92 is formed with slots 93 extending deeply into the said forward part and ofa width and so spaced that the sections of the rollers 81 and 83 may pass freely through the slots 93 between the tongues formed thereby. The fitting 9| is further provided at the lateral edges with bearing lugs 94 by which it is xedly mounted on a spindle 95 extending from a bearing in the main frame plate 2 through the main frame plate I to receive a toothed quadrant 95 xed thereto capable of effecting the rotation of the tting 9| through an `angle of approximately 100. This movement is effected by a cam through a similar toothed quadrant, in the manner hereinafter described, the two quadrants being provided with bevel teeth. The forward end of the guide plate 83 is slotted to correspond with the spacing of the sections of the roller 86 and to permit it to extend into the range of the rollers 86 and 81 and so that it lies in close proximity to the upper unslotted portion of the fitting 9| when the latter has rotated in the anti-clockwise direction into its limiting position, as represented in full lines in Figure 2 of the drawings.

In a position immediately below the spindle the frame plates 84 have xed to them a guide tting 97 which functions as a continuation of the guide plate 82 and is formed of a number of bridge-like plate members that are spaced apart to correspond with the spaces between the tongues of the forward part of the fitting 9| and are supported upon a -sheet metal carrier 98 provided with lateral lugs by which it may be secured to the frame plates 84.

. It will be understood that as the envelope is fed forward by the rollers 18 and 'I9 with the nap in alignment with the front of the envelope, the flap is guided by the rollers 89 and 81 into the mouth of the space 92 of the reversing tting 9| and, at the appropriate moment in the forward travel of the envelope, the fitting 9| rotates in the clockwise direction so that the mouth moves at the same speed as the envelope with the result that the flap is turned back and finally flattened upon the front of the envelope by the rollers 88 and 89.

The envelope continues on its path, with the flap reversed, as defined by the pairs of guide plates 99 and |90 eXtending between and lsecured to the frame plates 84, the envelope being impelled forward by the pairs of rollers IOI, |02 and |93, |04, of which the rollers IOI and |03 are driving rollers, being provided with gear wheels which mesh with the idle gear wheels |05 and |06, the wheel |05 engaging with the gear wheel yof the roller 88.

At the upper part of the main frame and over the forward ends of the frame plates 84 there is provided a further pair of inner frame plates I0'I also spaced from the mainframe plates I and 2 and secured thereto by means of bolts |08 and distance members. A pair of guide plates |99, secured to the frame plates I0'I, serve to guide the envelope into the range of the pair of rollers IIO and III. The roller III is xedly mounted upon a spindle II2 which serves as the power spindle for the application of the drive of an electric or other motor (not shown) which is disposed outside the main frame plate 2 and is suitably geared to'the outwardly extending portion of the spindle Il2. The latter extends through clearance holes in the main frame plates and is carried in bearing members I| 3 having bosses or sleeves extending into close contact with the body of the roller III and serving as bearings for certain other elements of the mechanism, that is to say, the envelope diverting member and the ap straightener, as hereinafter described. The spindle II2 further carries xedly mounted upon it a gear wheel I|4 which transmits the motor drive to the driving rollers of the mechanism. For this purpose it is in gear with an idle gear wheel II5 carried on a stub spindle mounted in the frame plate which in turn meshes with a gear wheel I I 6 engaging with the gear wheel of the roller |03. The spindle I I2 also serves to drive the cam gear, as hereinafter described.

The envelope fed forward by the rollers IIII and is constrained in its path by the guide plate II5 extending between the frame plates |01 and the diverting member. The latter is a sheet metal plate I1 bent about the middle of its length to a sharp angle and carried by laterally disposed bearing plates I8 which are rotatably carried upon the bosses of the ap straightening device, to be hereinafter described, which bosses are in turn mounted upon the bosses or sleeves of the bearing members ||3. This construction is not essential and may, of course, be modified. The plate ||1 is so disposed that under gravity its angular portion tends to rest upon the guide plate IIB. The limit of the upward movement of the plate I|1 is determined by means of Stop plates I I9 tted to the frame plates |01 and by adjustable screwed stop pins |20 mounted in lateral brackets upon the bearing plates I|8.

The guide plate IIS is continued rearwardly by a flying or bridge-like envelope filling table formed in two lateral sections |2| and a narrow middle section |22 spaced from the lateral sections to leave a longitudinal space or slot on each side. The middle section |22 inclines downwardly in the rearward direction for a purpose that will hereinafter be explained and the lateral sections similarly incline transversely, but not necessarily to the same degree.

When the envelope lies upon the table sections |2| and |22 it is in the position to be charged with a letter. It is carried into the said position by means now to be described.

A spindle |23 mounted in bearing bushes in the main frame plates and 2 serves to support in a pivotal manner a bridge member |24 of sheet metal of which the lateral portion adjacent the main frame plate I is formed with an out-- wardly extending arm |25. The bridge member |24 has fixed to it a U-shaped fitting |26 the limbs f which are so spaced that they may protrude upwardly through the slots present at the two sides of the middle section |22 of the table before referred to. At the upper edges of the said limbs there are provided sheet metal shoes |21 which, in the most forward position of the bridge member |24, butt against the rearward edge of the guide plate IIB', to form a short continuation of the surface of the said guide. The bridge member |24 further carries on its under face a second U-shaped fitting |28 which serves for the support of the operating mechanism of clips |29 which co-operate with the shoes |21. A spindle |30 is carried in bearings in the ttngs |28 and upon the spindle there is mounted a double-armed lever IBI which by the one armsupports a roller |32 and by the other arm is linked by a link |33 to an arm |34 lXedly mounted upon a spindle |35 having bearings in the fitting |25 and having also in iixed relation thereto two arms |36 which are positioned to bear upon arms I 31 in fixed relation with the clips |29. The clips are normally maintained in the closed position in relation to the shoes |21 by leaf springs |33. The clips |29 are operated to close upon the shoes |21 by a cam |39 that is in a fixed position upon the spindle |23, the said cam being operated by an operating arm |40 that is in fixed relation to the spindle |23 at the exterior of the main frame plate The envelope impelled forward by the rollers I|| and ||0 and guided by the guide plate II 6' and the diverting member |I1 arrives with its mouth upon the shoes |21. The cam |39 is then operated to close the clips |29 upon the inner face of the front of the envelopeto grip the envelope upon the shoes |21, whereupon the bridge member |24 is caused to move through a determined angle to carry the envelope on to the lling table comprising the sections |2I and |22.

y The movement of the bridge member is effected by an arm I4I that is in fixed relation to a short` spindle |42 mounted in av bearing in the main frame plate I, the arm I4| being linked by a connecting rod |43 to a pivotal point upon the arm |25 of the bridge member |24. The arm I4| is adapted to be oscillated through the determined angle required by the movement of the bridge member |24 by an operating arm |44 that is connected to'an operating cam lever hereinafter described.

The envelope now rests upon the iilling table comprising the sections |2I and |22 of which it will be remembered the middle guideinclines to a lower elevation than the lateral sections, while the latter incline inwardly in a like direc-V tion. It is therefore possible by depressing the inner surface of the front of the envelope to cause the envelope to distend. For this purpose there is mounted at the rear end of the middle section |22 in the iianges or cheeks thereof aspindle |45 which carries loosely mounted" upon it a clip |46 which protrudes through a corresponding opening in the middle section and is normally caused to press upon the surface of the middle section by means of a leaf spring |41 secured to the tie rod 5 of the main frame and adapted to bear upon an extension or arm |48 of the clip. The clip is operated to engage and press 'down the front of the envelope after its arrival upon Y the filling table by a crank arm |49 lmounted upon a spindle |50 carried in bearings in the main frame plates I and 2. The said crank arm carries a roller |5I adapted to press upon the arm |48 of the clip in oppositiontotlie action of the spring |41. The crank arm is operated by a cam and a cam lever in a manner hereinafter VYdescribed, by means of the operating arm |52 fixed to the spindle |50 to the'exterior of the main frame plate I. The spindle |50 further carries a counter-weight |53. f

In order to permit the introduction of the letter into the distended envelope there are provided a series of letter guide fingers', three in the'construction described, comprising a middle guide finger |54 and the two lateral guide iingers |55.

The guide ngers are provided of' sheet metal and are mounted rotatably upon a spindle |56 which is carried in an extended bridgemember |51 fixedly mounted upon a spindle |58 having bearings in thermain frame plates and 2. The middle guide finger is constrained to retain its middle position by means of a U-shaped retainer |59 mounted on the underside of the transverse portion of the bridge member |51. The lateral guide fingers are adapted for adjustment towards and away from the middle guide finger and for the purpose their sleeve portions by which they are mounted upon the spindleV |56 are slotted for the reception in each case of an adjusting member |60 which is providedwith a to it an adjusting knob |52 by the rotation of which the guide ngers |55 may be caused to be laterally adjusted in position. Y

The guide fingers |54 and |55 are caused to enter the ldistended envelope by a limited travel Y which is produced byd an angular movement of the bridge member |51 about the spindle |58 as the axis. This movement is effected through an arm |63 secured tothe spindle |58 and connected by a link |64 to a second arm |65 that is xedly mounted upon a spindle |58 mounted in a bearing in the main -frame plate and carrying outside the said plate an `operating' arm |51 which is actuated from a cam and cam lever in the manner to be hereinafter described. The rearward position of the bridge member |51 is conveniently determined by a stop |88 mounted upon the inner face of the frame plate l. W A

The following description relates to themannenof introduction of the letter into the distendedgenvelope. ,Y Y e lImmediately forward'of the portionr53 of the letter table there is, provided a further pair of inner frame platesY |88 alsosecuredto the main frame plates land 2 by bolts |89 and distance members. Extending between the said `frame plates is a guide plate |10 that is provided with twoseries of spaced slots disposed the one forward ofthe other. Below thev said guide yplate there is carried in bearings in the frame plates |88 a spindle |71| on 4which is mounted fixedly in amiddle position a letter register comprisinga sheet metal tting |12 provided with three forwardly projecting arms the extremities of which are turned upwardly, the spacing of the said arms being such that, in a determined position of the spindle |1|, the said extremities extend through the forward series of kslots in the guide plate |10. The spindle |1| lfurther carries xed theretok adjacent the bearings in the frame plates |68 a pair of arms |13 in which is rotatably supported a spindle ,|14 on which are u'lxedly carried three short rollers |15v spaced to agreeqwith the positions of the rearward series of slots in the Aguide plate |10. The relative disposition of therollers |15 and the extremities of the` arms of thetting |12 .with respect to the spindle |1| is such that when, on limited rotation of the spindle, the said extremities are withdrawnthrough the slots in 'the guide plate |10 the Vrollers are protruded .through the lcorresponding-slots in the guide plate so. that they may be broughtinto contact with a ,driven roller |16 the spindle of which is carried in the inner frame plates i |58.k Thus, if, vwhen the said ,extremities are protruding from the guide plate |10, a letter is fed forward until it is arrested bythe said extremities, it is in the position tobe fed forwardto the lling tableby the rollers |15 when the latter are brought into contact 4plate from a cam and a cam lever, as hereinafter described. Y e The guide plate |10 is connected with the sections |2| and |22 of the before mentioned env elope llingtable by a middle guideplate |11 fand two lateral guide plates `|18 that are spaced apart and that are of such relative widths that the longitudinal spaces or slots that are presented -on each side of the middle guide plate i 11 are more widely Vspaced than the1 corresponding spaces or slots at thesides of the middle section |22 of the envelope llingtable. Each of the lguide platesA |11 and |18 is provided Vwith down- V'vw'zardly extending flanges in which are formed bearings 'fertile 'spindles of two sets of three short rollers `'|19 'and V |80 the spindles of which correspond in lengthwith the respective widths of the guide plates |11 'and |18 so that the longitudinal spaces or slots between the guide plates are not obstructed thereby, the rollers |19 and |8|! being of such diameters that their upper parts protrude sufciently through corresponding slots in the guide plates `to 7enable 'them to press upon and coop'erate with 'driven rollers |8| and |82 the spindles of which arefcarried in bearings in the frame plates |68. The spindles of the rollers |15, |8| and |82 have corresponding 'gear wheels fixedly mounted 'u'p'on jth'em on the v,outer side of the inner frame plate adjacent the main frame plate l, the said gear wheels being geared together Vand to the gear wheel ||5by the gear wheel |83, carried by'a spindle from the main frame plate i, andthe gear wheels |84 and |85, carried byspindlsrointhe 'adjacent frame plate |68. Thus the sa'id rollersreceive the necessary drive from the vpower spindle ||2, The elevation of the letter table 53, 'isrsomewhat above that of the sections |2|, |22 of the envelope lling table and is compensated by the setting of corresponding prtionsfof the guide plates |11 and |18 immediately in front of the roller |8| on an inclination which, in'conjunction with the longitudinal spaces or Vslots separating the said guide plates, serves a useful purpose to be hereinafter described. The guideplates |10,y |11, and |18 are covered in thefsp'aces between the rollers |16, I8 a'nd |82, to 'constrain the letters to follow the desired path, by means of guide plates |86, |81, V|88 of which lthe guide plate |88 is secured to the guide plate |10 andthe guide plates I|81 and |88 to the outer iianges of the guideplates |18. The'guide plates |81 and |88 are 'slotted on the under farces vin coincidence with the longitudinal spaces or slots between the guide plates |11 and |18. It will be observed that the guide plate |88 extends 'suiiciently'far 'forward to lift the letter guide 'lingers |54 and Y|55 off the surface of the envelope vlling table when the bridge member |51 isin its rearmost position.

The letter that' is fed forward by the rollers I8 |82 requires to be impelled into the distended envelope. Forthis purpose there is provided a letter thruster mechanism .conveniently of the form now to ybe described. lThe tie bars 5 and 6 of the main frame are respectively provided to carry plate-like .brackets Y| 89 and |90, 4the bracket 89 being extended upwardly-and downwardly to give rigidity and to serve also to permit of the yconnection thereto of the middlesection |22 of the. envelope filling table. The lbrackets have fortheirma'in function to. support parallel guide bars igluponwhich i'ss'lidably mounted a carrier |02 provided; at'thefforward en dwith two upstanding angular armsH |`93 whichhave the upper ends formed toe'fbk-'Iikenttings 194, the 'spaces of which are VDal-'alltel with the Ygliile bars `ISI. The elevation Lof the forks |94 is such'that the spaces Voffthe said forks Yare fcin'cident in elevation with the-,space be'tween'the guide `plates |11 and I 18 and the'upper guide plate |88 and lthe spacing ofthe yarlfns'v |`93fiiponthe carrier |92 is such that they Vmay be received with clearance in the longitudinal spaces 'or Vslots`tha`t are formed It will position below the guide plate |88 a forward movement of the carrier |92 causes the forks |94 to emerge from below the guide plates |11 and |18 on passing the inclined portions of the said guide plates, and to engage the rear edge of the letter. The continued forward movement of the carrier towards the forward end of the guide bars I9I ensures that the letter is carried forwardly into the distended envelope below the letter guide lingers |54 and |55 which are at the moment within the open envelope.

The means whereby the carrier is caused to be reciprocated in synchronism with the operation of the remaining mechanisms conveniently comprises a link |95 which is pivoted upon a vertical pivot mounted in the rear portion of the carrier, the link |95 being in turn pivoted by a vertical pivot to the inner end of a double armed lever |96, the pivot |91 of which, disposed outside the main frame plate is supported by a bracket |98 applied to the said main frame plate. The outer arm of the lever |96 is provided with a vertical pivot which on the underside of the arm supports a roller |99. The said roller is engaged with a cam groove of a drum-like cam that will hereinafter be described. In Figure 4, for the purpose of clearness, the lever |95 is shown in mid-travel.

The envelope now charged with the letter is caused to return on its path along the envelope filling table by a return movement of the bridge member |2, the clips |29 retaining their hold upon the envelope. The diverting member I I1 is again resting with its angular point upon the guide plate I and accordingly the envelope is diverted above the upper surface of the said diverting member and passes into the range of the power roller at a position at which the said roller cooperates with a roller 220, the spindle of which is carried in bearings in the inner frame plates |91. The diverted path of the envelope is now defined by a guide plate 20| carried by the inner frame plates |01 and the ilap straightener which comprises a sheet metal fitting 202 of substantially triangular cross-section having one of the angles directed rearwardly to form the means for straightening the flap. The said fitting is supported by bearing arms 203 having bosses which are rotatably tted upon the bearing members I i3 of the power roller HI. The tting 202 is slotted in the upper surface to permit of the upward protrusion of a roller 204, the spindle of which is carried in the bearing arms 203 of the flap straightener. The flap straightener is adapted to have a limited movement of rotation about the spindle H2 in such manner that the roller 204 may be moved into contact with a roller 205, the spindle of which is supported by the inner frame plates |91 in such position that the roller may protrude through a slot in the guide plate 20|.

The bearing arms 203 and the inner frame plates |01 may be provided in either or both cases with cooperating stop elements in the form, for example, of short lengths of angle metal by which the lower limit of movement of the bearing arms 203 may be determined. To eiect the oscillatory movements of the flap straightenerV there is provided a spindle 206 carried in bearings in the main frame plates and 2 which, within the said main frame plates, is provided to carry xedly mounted thereon arms 291 connected by links 208 to a spindle 209 in the ap straightener. The spindle 209 carries outside the main frame plate a xedly mounted operating arm 2I0 which receives the necessary movements from a cam and a cam lever in the manner hereinafter described. By the mechanism described the forward feed of the envelope effected by the rollers 205 and 204 results in the ap which is lying against the lower surface or front of the envelope being engaged with the lower surface of the ap straightener with the result that it is straightened out into alignment with the front of the envelope.

The envelope is then caused to travel towards the mechanism by which the ap is tucked therein by a series of pairs of rollers 2H, 2|2, 2|3, 2id, 2|5, 2|6, and 2I1, ZIB, the spindles of which are carried in bearings in the inner frame platesv |02 and of which the rollers 2|2, 2M, 2|6, and 2&8 are driving rollers, the spindles of which are provided on the exterior of the frame plate 21 adjacent the main frame plate with gear wheels which are geared together by the sequence of gear wheels 2I9, 220, 22|. from the power spindle I2 is transmitted to the saidsequence of rollers from the gear wheel H4 by way of a sequence of gear wheels 222, 223 and 224, the spindles of which are carried by the adjacent frame plate |01.

Below the rollers 2|1, 293 there is disposed the flap tucking mechanism (illustrated more particularly in Figure 12) the parts oi which are pivotally mounted upon a spindle 225 that is carried in bearings in the main frame plates I and 2. For the support of the envelope during the time that the flap is tucked therein there is provided a cradle or rocking back plate fitting pivotally supported upon the spindle 225 and that is comprised of two lateral frame members 226 and 221 that are united by a plate 229 which extends from about the middle of the length of the members 225 and 221 to a position beyond their upper ends. The upper edge of the said plate is shaped as by bending, so that the middle.

section is to the rear of a line joining the lines of junction of the plate with the frame members 225 and 221, the bends being effected on diagonal lines that leave the inner edge of the plate 223 straight. Towards the spindle 225 there is further provided between the frame members 229 and 221 a second plate 229 substantially in alignment with the plate 220 'and spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to permit the disposition between the two plates of a roller 230 the spindle of which is carried freely in the frame members 225 and 221. The plate 229 is provided, for example, over the greater part of its middle section, with a series, for instance, four, of channel-like recesses 23| in the forward surface, which may be formed by the repeated bending of the plate. The portions of the plate that are so recessed are also reduced in width by the cutting away of a section of each of the parts forming the channels in order to provide clearance for the roller 290. The upper edge of the middle section of the said plate is therefore alternately of two elevations, the lower elevations vbeing at those positions at which the channels before referred to are'formed. On the outer sides of the frame members 220 and 221 there are pivoted at 232, by short pivots, bracket members 233 that are connected together by a plate 234 extending at the rear of Ythe frame members 222 and 221. The bracket members 233 carry at the forward end of their arms a bridge member 235 the lateral parts of which are pivcted to the brackets 233 at 232, one of the said lateral parts being extended downwardly for the The drive' 

